ISIS-supporting ex-National Guard member Mohamed Bailor Jalloh shouted “Allahu Akbar” before launching his deadly attack at Old Dominion University on Thursday, federal officials revealed.
Jalloh, 36, busted into an ROTC classroom at the Virginia college and yelled the Arabic phrase, which translates to “God is Great,” before opening fire, killing a retired military officer and injuring two others, FBI Special Agent Dominique Evans said at a press conference.
The FBI is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism.
Jalloh, a naturalized US citizen originally from Sierra Leone, fatally shot the course’s instructor. Two other ROTC members injured in the attack are both in stable condition.
Evans praised the students who showed “extreme bravery and courage in containing the shooter and stopping further loss of life.”
The FBI said it will be opening a tipline for the investigation.
Evans said they are trying to retrace Jalloh’s steps leading up to the attack and track down anyone who may have supported him.
Jalloh was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison for offering material support to ISIS, then known as ISIL. He was released in December 2024.